MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
USD 308 Finalizing New K-12 Math Curriculum After 18-Month Review
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — USD 308 is preparing to implement a new K-12 math curriculum following an 18-month evaluation process aimed at aligning instruction with updated standards and improving student outcomes.
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Lisa Yantes said the district’s previous math materials had been in place for about a decade, prompting the need for a comprehensive review.
“We just finished up an 18-month process of adopting a new textbook for math,” Yantes said.
The new curriculum will unify instruction across all grade levels, replacing a system that previously used multiple publishers. It also includes a built-in special education component, allowing for greater alignment across student learning needs.
District officials said the updated program emphasizes real-world applications, higher-level thinking, and personalized learning pathways.
Teachers involved in pilot testing reported that the materials help students make stronger connections between math concepts and everyday use.
“They felt like it really hit the higher-level questioning, getting kids to see real-world connections,” Yantes said.
The evaluation process included approximately 40 teachers from across grade levels who tested multiple curriculum options in classrooms throughout the school year. Students adapted to rotating instructional materials as part of the trial.
The final selection was determined by teacher vote, with administrators intentionally stepping back from the decision-making process.
“It was a teacher vote,” Yantes said.
The district is now preparing for implementation this fall, focusing on staff training and “vertical alignment” — ensuring teachers across grade levels understand expectations for student progression.
USD 308 plans to begin a similar review process for science curriculum next year.